1797 Draped Bust Dime. JR-2. Rarity-4. 13 Stars. MS-64 (NGC).，A gorgeous example of this prized early type, the surfaces are dusted in soft shades of gold, violet and powder blue that deepen toward the borders. The fields are silken and lustrous, contrasting nicely with the more frosty texture that blankets the design elements. Evidence of strike doubling is noted on Libertys profile, in addition to the date and reverse legend. The overall preservation is truly exceptional. Obstruction of the dies during striking has imparted an arcing flaw to the right of the date, allowing for a convenient pedigree marker to trace this piece through future market appearances.<p>By a slight margin, JR-2 is considered the scarcer of the two varieties of the 1797 dime. The JR-1 variety marked the end of the policy of adding a star to the obverse for every state in the Union, as the addition of Tennessee in 1796 had made the obverses of the silver and gold coins appear entirely too crowded. This variety is the first of the new design, featuring 13 stars, an aspect that would remain constant for over a century. <em>PCGS CoinFacts </em>suggests that five Mint State coins exist, which is corroborated by the three examples certified by PCGS and the two pieces certified by NGC. The present example is tied with the Pogue specimen offered as lot 1036 of our May 2015 sale, which brought $176,250. While the Pogue specimen has been featured in some of the most impressive cabinets assembled over the past century, the present example is a relative newcomer to the modern numismatic market, having been offered at public auction only twice in the past 50 years. Its provenance can be traced back to Abe Kosoffs ANA Auction of August 1968, in which it realized $1,704.35 as lot 1374. Draped Bust dime and early U.S. type specialists alike will surely recognize the significant opportunity offered by this stunning example.，PCGS# 38749. NGC ID: 236D.，NGC Census (JR-2 attribution only): just 1; with a single MS-65 finer.，From Abe Kosoffs ANA Auction of August 1968, lot 1374, where it realized $1,704.35; Lyn Knights auction of June 2017, lot 10039.
